I found this tin at the weekend, and I picked it up for my shop straight away. It's so nice. The butterfly and flowers on the lid are metallic, while the background is matt. The gradient of colour in the background, from dark to light, highlights the metallic design even more, and the colours used on the whole tin are a really nice palette. The electric blue is so vibrant, the butterfly is in a lovely combination of pink and peach, and the flowers are in shades of turquoise blue and purple.

I believe the date could be 20's or 30's. The condition is good for the age that it is, and it would work perfectly as a storage tin. It would make a really nice pen tin for a desk, or for keeping plant labels in for the garden.

I have been experimenting again with building up my own tile colours, and I came up with a colour range that has made a great new colour version for my Ripple Mirror collection.

I've called this one Fiesta Ripples. There are shades of red, tangerine, magenta, and purple with copper, and gold metallics embellishing them. The copper colour is also the main background colour that's over-painted the bare wood in the centre of the two mosaic fans.

When I put this latest mirror next to my Shades of Blue and Green version, I realised these mirrors would look great as a set of four, with the quarter fans making up a whole mosaic circle. So, I've mocked up a picture of the two versions so far and how they would look hanging in a set.

That then got me experimenting with different ways of hanging the mirrors and I came up with these patterns, using the set of four, too -

If you are interested in a set of four, or a pair which would give a nice half circle effect, contact me and I will be able give you a quote, which would include a combined postage saving.

This is my latest mosaic mirror, it's called Ripples Shades of Blue and Green. It was inspired by the colour of the stain on the wooden frame base, which reminds me of faded beach huts, which reminds me of water, which reminds me of my ripples pattern that I've used before. This time I've only got 2 parts of the mirror with the mosaic on and I've left the middle section of the frame as the bare stained wood. I really like the effect. It reminds me of all sorts of things. Butterfly wings, carnival fans, as well as the watery ripples I was originally going for.

I just listed a large Raspberry Red and Aqua bauble which is the latest design in my Christmas range. It was only when it was listed that I realised where I'd got the colour combination, and design, from.

The item next to the bauble was this vintage ribbon that I listed a few days ago. The colours are nearly exactly the same. I think I must have even though of the holly design from this ribbon pattern too.

Funny how things influence you without you really realising it. It just goes to show how mood boards, and Pinterest can help visually inspire you with colour pallettes.

With that in mind, I've been adding a few items to the vintage office section. I am on the lookout for nice storage items, and useful desk accessories. There is this lovely tin with an 'embroidered' design on the lid.

And I have found a couple of brilliant large, brass, double-sided paper clips, which could also be used as paperweights because of the weight of them.

All these things would brighten your desk up. I've read that if you are surrounded by things that you like in your home, it makes you feel good. That must work in a double-good way if the things are where you are creative. So keep an eye on my site and you might see something you'd like on your desk.

Ive said before in previous blogs that I love to create colour combination and patterns. But sometimes I was restricted by the colours of tiles available. Well, I've found a new way to create new and interesting colour effects on my mosaics. It involves adding colours in a layered effect to give a really different finish to the tile. I am in a whole new world of experimentation now.

This mirror is the first item I've listed that has this technique used on it. It has peacock blues and green, greens and golds, and a copper verdigris finish.

Keep an eye on this website for more coming soon, or follow me on Facebook, or Twitter, for stock updates.

If you think talking Christmas in August is way too early, look away now. If you love Christmas, read on......